Stamps' one-handed INT a UK highlight

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Safety A.J. Stamps put his stamp on the game in his Kentucky debut.

The highly touted junior-college transfer was one of UK’s top performers on defense in UK’s 59-14 win over Tennessee-Martin, recording eight tackles, including one for a loss, and making the play of the day on a one-handed interception in the second quarter that may have saved a touchdown.

On the pick, Stamps slashed across the field, leaped and stretched his hand out front of the intended receiver to reel in Dylan Favre’s pass at UK’s 10-yard line.

“It was a nice feeling. I saw the ball, and I had to go get it,” he said. “Somebody had to make a play, and fortunately it was me. … That’s something you do as a kid. I was out there before the game practicing one-handed catches.”

Junior cornerback Fred Tiller also intercepted a pass for UK – his first career pick – as the Cats’ defensive backs doubled their interception count for all of last season. UK forced five turnovers in all.

Stoops said Stamps has lived up to his expectations for him but that “he even turned it up a notch” on Saturday.

“Obviously the interception was a fantastic play, but the way he triggered in the run game, and his reads were very correct and very quick,” the coach said.